It's finally official, Floyd Mayweather lives up to his nickname and has penned what is sure to be one of the biggest money making fights of all time. Paquiao vs. Mayweather is scheduled to take place March 13, according to ESPN.com, and even though I would not consider myself a boxing fan... I can't wait.
As earlier discussed on Hit The Ropes Radio, this just might be the most important fight in the history of boxing. As it stands right now, boxing is slipping away.The explosion of MMA has delivered where boxing has not. The biggest fights that fans want to see, when they want to see them. That all changes with one fight.
For years boxing relied on its heavyweight division to carry the sport, but boxing has been without a big draw in that division for some time now. The sport put all of its weight behind the much smaller Oscar De La Hoya until he retired. And then again in Mayweather, until he retired. The two superstars got together in 2007 for a blockbuster bout, but despite the record PPV buys, the after effects were little and boxing was unable to ride the wave of success. They hope to not let that mistake happen twice.
The blockbuster bout between Pacquiao and Mayweather has been years in the making. Mayweather has been heavily criticized for ducking fights and picking his opponents to fit his advantage. And when boxing fans heard Mayweather was coming out of retirement... only to step into the ring with an opponent not named Pacquiao there were many who were calling foul.
But if Mayweather had a message to the fans, it would certainly be to relax. That fight was only a tune up bout. Mayweather was getting the ring rust off in order to prepare for his toughest fight to date. Manny Pacquiao poses as a legitimate threat to Floyd Mayweather's undefeated record, and Mayweather looks to silence the critiques.
The truth to be told, it doesn't matter who wins this fight. The sport itself will be better served if this a long drawn out war with both fighters looking their best. Why? To set up the rematch of course. Boxing needs this fight to give fans something to look forward. They need this fight so they can matter.
Everyone is already gearing up and tuning in for every last details. There are already several locations fighting one another to host what is sure to be the biggest fight in boxing history. The attention is even drawing in casual fans to a sport which desperately needs some attention. Get ready fight fans, Pacquiao vs Mayweather will be one worth the six month wait.
Source
No comments:
Post a Comment